Gold Coast locked away a key part of its future this week when it re-signed exciting young trio Jack Bowes, Ben Ainsworth and Peter Wright all on long-term deals.
Bowes extended his contract through to 2024 while Ainsworth and Pete both committed for another three years seeing them through to the end of 2022.
Bowes, a SUNS Academy product from Cairns, said he was excited to continue his journey with the club.
“(I’m) obviously rapt to be on board and to sign alongside Benny and Pete as well,” Bowes told SUNS Media.
“I’ve always wanted to see the club do well and prove a lot of people wrong.
“I really just want to be a big part of taking the club forward and creating some history with a new club.
“To do it alongside some of my best mates here as well and stay on the coast near family is probably a big indicator as well.”
Bowes has been tied to the SUNS since 2011 when he first joined the Academy program as a 13-year-old.
He progressed along the pathway and moved to the Gold Coast at 17 before being drafted in the first round the next year.
Into his third year on the list, Bowes is still heavily involved with the Academy and the next wave of talent coming through.
“They’ve done a lot for me and helped me fast-track my development as a player and a person so hopefully there’s a few more Academy members who come through,” Bowes said.
“I love seeing boys come through and graduate through there and onto the list.
“I’m really enjoying helping those boys out and especially boys from North Queensland too locating down and helping them fit in at the club.”
Bowes said signing alongside Ainsworth and Wright gave him confidence the club was putting all the pieces in place to be successful in the future.
“You want to be sticking together as a group and playing with the same people week in, week out,” Bowes said.
“I obviously was drafted with Benny and been through the journey with him from the start and Pete’s setting a great example around the club too.
“I just can’t wait to keep continuing our progress together and continue the journey forward.”